IT vs Accounting

Had wanted to blog this entry yesterday night, in fact I had already written quite a bit but my lousy PocketPC hung on me; the disadvantage of using system running on Microsoft Windows…

Was still reflecting on the interview and I discovered more things that I have actually yet sort out myself. I guess it’s good to blog about it as it might help me see things clearer. A lot of people have been asking me why I made such a drastic move from studying IT to a completely new subject called Accounting. Even the interviewer asked me yesterday when she saw my poly transcripts, saying that it’s such a waste not to continue studying IT when I had done so well during poly. I must admit it’s a drastic move but I normally don’t do things without reasons. In fact I did doubt whether had I actually made the right move even till now: Choosing a degree course that requires me to start from scratch and taking 3 years instead of 1-1.5 years had I chosen IT. It’s no joke considering the amount of time I can save and using the difference to earn it back or maybe taking on a post-graduate degree. But I had to make the move now then to regret later.

The no.1 reason I can say is money-driven instead of interest. Compared studying IT and Accounting, I guess I have more interest in IT. But I hate project deadlines, had enough of it during my poly days where I had to stay in school till almost midnight everyday just to finish my project. It’s really crazy having to rush just to meet deadlines. Moreover, my programming skills are not that great and the university projects require you to be very competent. Another thing is that I cant imagine working full-time as a programmer, it’s almost 24/7 sitting in front of your PC, totally lifeless… I dun like that kind of life. And so I chose Accounting but why not Business? People got the impression that Accountants earned a lot of money and I was kinda lured by it. In actual fact, a normal Accountant doesnt earned as much as a System Analyst do. Only an Auditor earn the BIG bucks and that requires working experience and CPA. It’s the same logic with doctors. People tot, “Oh, you are a doctor ah, must be earning a lot.” Not every doctor but more likely only the surgeons.

Besides the money, the other reason is for future use as I’m planning to go into investments and setting up my own online business later on. Accounting teaches you how to read and also prepare Financial Statements which I think it’s a useful skill to have. Imagine a business owner who’s also a trained Accountant or Auditor, that’s too good to be true. When it comes to Auditing for business next time, you’ll know what to look out for. But till then, I still got a long way to go before I can be qualified to be an Accountant or Auditor. Another option that I did consider is to get an IT degree and then a Master in Finance which will take me around 5 years. But the main problem is money. I dun have that much money to do both consecutively. I still needa take into consideration marriage, buying a house etc in future and that needs a lot of money… Like I had mention above, I dun do things blindly and I really look at long term planning, not just short term. And I still want to be a millionaire before the age of 28, it’s not impossible…! If I can do it even earlier, all the better.

PS: I want my wife to live like a ‘taitai’, children as prince and princess and mum as a great ‘queen’. (:

It’s a long entry today, shall stop here.

~ by livingthedream on January 24, 2007.